Cricket A Social, Sporting Event

April 16, 1985|By Steve Tiberi, Staff Writer

After he moved to the United States, it was only natural that Peter Miller would want to continue with the sport he grew up playing in England.

But locating competitive cricket teams in this part of the world is not an enviable task. Fortunately for Miller, the West Palm Beach Cricket Club was in need of experienced players when he moved to North Palm Beach in 1981. Miller has been with the club ever since.

The club opened its fifth season in the 15-team South Florida Cricket Association Sunday afternoon in a match that was delayed for more than an hour by rain. West Palm Beach was leading Starlite of Miami 141-55 when the game was called a draw because of darkness. The tie meant each team gained just a point in the standings.

The league includes clubs from Miami to Clewiston, and the season will run through July. A shorter, two-month season will begin in September. All games will be played on Sunday afternoons.

West Palm Beach will play home games behind Suncoast High School in Riviera Beach and meet each team once.

``It really is a lot of fun for everyone involved,`` Miller said. ``It`s a social as well as sporting occasion. The friends and relatives of the players come out to the games with food and drink. It really is very sociable.``

The sideline atmosphere is jovial. But on the field, cricket is serious business. Two umpires work the game, and their decisions are often the subject of heated debate. The umpires` calls are final, but the players make their opinions known.

``Cricket is a very serious sport,`` Miller said. ``In other countries, people have been known to bring weapons to the games should trouble break out. We`re not that serious here, but the players all care about playing well and winning.

``It can also get rough during the match. The bowler (pitcher) is throwing a very hard ball. The only equipment the batsman has are a pair of pads (similar to hockey goalie pads) and the bat. If the ball hits you, it hurts.``

The West Palm Beach club is made up mostly of players from England, India and the West Indies. Like Miller, they all learned the game when young and wanted to keep playing.

``We have never had anyone come out and ask to learn the game,`` Miller said. ``Not too many newcomers even come to watch us play. You can discover a different culture at the matches. A lot of the food and customs come from the West Indies and England where the game is played. It`s a great way to spend the afternoon.``

West Palm Beach had a rough season last year, finishing 14th in the 15-team league, but its impressive showing in the opening game was a positive sign. The players realize where they failed a year ago and have taken steps to improve.

Ray Robinson is a regular in the lineup and vice president of the club. Originally from the West Indies, he now lives in West Palm Beach and has played with the team since its inception.

``We had our worst season in quite a while,`` Robinson said of last year. ``We are looking to do much better this year. We have to improve our batting. We have the players to be a good team.``

HOW CRICKET IS PLAYED

A FIELD GAME that originated in England before 1700, cricket is popular in Commonwealth countries. There are 11 players on each team. Batsmen from one team defend two wickets, one at each end of a 22-yard pitch.

THE OTHER TEAM consists of fielders and two bowlers. A bowler throws a hard ball at the defended wicket from the other wicket. The batsman tries to hit out into the field to give himself time to score by running between wickets.

IF THE BALL STRIKES HIS WICKET either on the bowl or while he is running, or if it is caught when hit off his bat, he is out.

WHEN ALL THE BATSMEN on one team are out, the sides exchange functions and the ``innings`` end; a game consists of not more than two innings per team. The team with the most runs wins the game, and the game is a draw if the innings cannot be completed.